Education is the best approach against texting while driving
October 4, 2009 – 3:09 pmI’m creating this post in response to an article I read recently called Texting While Driving Needs a Technological Fix as I think this is headed the wrong direction. Education, in my opinion, is the key, supported by legislation.
In order to understand this post, you’ll probably have to read the article referenced above.
I blogged about texting while driving before (see: Should mobile device use while driving be illegal?).
If states want to pass a law that extends distracted driving to cover mobile devices, I’d be fine with that as long as it covers the other distractions. By the way, carrying on a conversation is the biggest cause of accidents, and I don’t see a anti-conversation law being passed anytime soon.
Since I don’t want to waste anyone’s time reiterating what I said in my previous post, I’m focusing this post in response to the article about a technological fix to the problem.
“The obvious bottom line is that sending a text is not worth the cost of a life.”
-> I agree.
“As human beings, we simply can’t always be trusted to make the right choice. In the case of texting while driving, we should be glad that there’s technology available so that we don’t even have to worry about making the wrong decision.”
-> I disagree. What country is this? Do we stay off the internet because the majority is not safe for work? We deal with choices every minute of every day. How many items are stocked at the average grocery store? Thousands..
The biggest hurdle as I see it is that I can’t imagine all handset makers getting behind the implementation of a technology solution unless it was mandated by law, as they would likely see their sales tank. And even if there was a solution put in place, there would surely be a hack available online almost immediately after. It’s a cat and mouse game.
Implementing such a complex technology would be impressive, but extremely challenging. There are very few solutions that would work reliably and accurately enough to make it into the marketplace. Just because a vehicle is moving doesn’t mean that the occupants shouldn’t be using their mobile devices, as most of them will be passengers. Determining movement is the easy part. Determining who should and should not be using a mobile device while moving is the tough one and would require some kind of integration with the vehicle.
In regards to TXTBlocker or any other software solution, there will always be a hack to get around it. I think the idea is good, but I’d need to understand more about how it distinguishes between a driver and passengers.
Legislation will help be a deterrent, technology can help support with things like headsets & voice driven commands, but education, in my opinion, is really the best approach.
I agree with the approach posted by CTIA-The Wireless Association a couple days ago:
“The wireless industry remains committed to educating all drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. We support state and local legislation that would ban texting for all drivers and place wireless use restrictions on teens and novice drivers. We agree with Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s recommendation that distracted driving legislation should be developed and enforced by state and local governments. While state and local legislation is a part of the solution, education is key to trying to end distracted driving. We also agree with Secretary LaHood that personal responsibility is important and every single person needs to be aware about the serious dangers and possible consequences of texting and driving.”
Education is happening now, but a technology solution is 5+ years away at best and that’s before getting everyone else in the mobile ecosystem on board, including handset makers, software makers, telecoms and ultimately, the auto industry.
I’d rather see money spent on education vs. thrown at a technology solution.
Technorati Tags: mobile, legislation, texting, driving
